Governor for steam-engines or other motors



' (No Model.)

' B. 0. KNAPP.

GOVERNOR FOR STEAM ENGINES OR OTHER MOTORS. No. 603,193. Patented Apr, 26, 1898.

.centric.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN O. KNAPP, OF'SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

GOVERNOR FOR STEAM-ENGINES OR OTHER MOTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,193, dated April 26, 1898. Application filed July 8, 1896; Serial No. 598,405 (No model.)

, To all whom it may concern: Y

. tors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that type of governor known as the shaft-governor and is 7 carried upon the main shaft of the engine or motor or upon an auxiliary shaft driven from said motor. It consists in a novel form, construction, and arrangement of weights and a novel form and arrangement of parts connecting said weights with each other and with the valve operating mechanism, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. Its objects are to obtain, first, a combined centrifugal and inertial action ofthe weights; second, case of adjustment of weights to correspond with springs both inregard to scale or stiffness and safe initial tension; third,

balance of weights against gravity; fourth,

weights adjustable in amount and so held that no movement can take place excepting the movement of the weight as a whole; fifth, improved method of setting eccentric, and, sixth, improved method of reversing the co- These results are obtained by means of mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- 1 Figure l is an elevation of the governor in its wheel or carrier. Fig. 2 is a section of the same upon line a b, Fig. 1, with springs removed. Fig. 3 is a view. of eccentric, eccentric shaft or pin, and carrier-hubas seen from the eccentric side. Fig. 4 is a section of carrier-hub upon line 0 d, Fig. 3, showing the same parts as Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows the cir-. cular face of the weight end, and Fig. 6 is a view of the edge of the same with part of the shell broken away to show the weight-disks clamped therein.

'Referring to the above figures, C is a wheel or carrier for the governor mechanism and may also serve as a band and fly wheel.

I and P are pivotal supports for the weightarms and are fastened to the carrier 0 upon a-diametrical line of same.

Aois a double-ended weight-arm carried by pivot P and extending both sides thereof, as shown. A a is a similar double-ended arm carried upon pivot P.

W and'W are the principal weights and are carried by the arms A and A, as shown, and precede their supporting-pivots P and P as the carrier rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. This arrow shows the necessary direction of rotation of carrier with relation to the principal weights W and W and theirpivots P and P.

w and w are lighter auxiliary weights carried byarms a and a, as shown, and follow their supporting-pivots P and P as the car-' rier rotates.

The elements W, A, a, and w constitute a double-ended composite weight; also, the elements W, A, a, and w constitute a sec- 0nd similar double-ended composite weight. These composite weights are so carried and connected that they always form a symmetrical figure about the shaft S, upon whose axis the carrier rotates. Said weights are therefore completely balanced against gravity for all positions.

The springs K and K resist the resultant centrifugal action of the weights, and radial arms R and R afford means of transmission to the valve or controller operating mechanism of the motion of the weights through the links L and L, the lever L, and the shaft S, upon which the eccentric E swings across the carrier-shaft in the usual manner.

The connections between the two weights and between the weights and the controller" operating mechanism, may be varied by the designer according to the requirements of the mechanism to be handled. The connections here shown are especially adapted for use with that type of valve which controls the speed by a va-rrying cut-off'obtained by a varying throw with practically constant lead.

In this specification the word controller is used to mean that which ultimately controls the speed of the motor governed. In a steam-engine the controller is a valve. In a gas-engine it may be a valve or an igniter. By controller-operating mechanism is meant that mechanism connecting the governor with the controller. In an ordinary steam-engine the controller-operating mechanism consists of the eccentric-strap, eccentric-rod, valverod slide, and valve-rod.

In operation the action of the governor is as follows: As the carrier revolves the principal weights and V exert a centrifugal force, which is resisted by the centrifugal action of the auxiliary weights to and w and by the springs K and K. Therefore the initial spring tension required to bring the motor to its rated speed before the weights start to reduce speed is that required to resist the difference of centrifugal action between the sum of the principal weights W and V and the sum of the auxiliary weights to and w. More briefly, letting V \V w w denote the numerical values of the weights which they represent we may say that the initial spring tension required is that due to weight (\V+W)+(w+w).

Again, let the governor be adjusted to isochronism and assumed, therefore, to run at constant speed. Then as the principal weights \V and V move outward they exert an increasing force for every new position taken, said increase being due to the increase of radial distance from the center of motion; also, as the auxiliary weights move toward the center of motion they exert a decreasing opposing force for every new position. This resultant rate of change of centrifugal force, due alone to change of position of weights, may be called the scale of the combined weights. This scale of the weights is resisted by the scale of the springs alone, and for isochronous adjustment the scales so correspond as to balance each other in all positions. For other than isochronous adjustment the difference of scales of weight and spring must be made up by a change of centrifugal force of the weights due to a change of speed. The rule is to adjust as near to isochronism as possible with the required stability.

From the last paragraph itis plain that the scale of spring is that which balances the scale of weight (lV}-\V')+(w+w'); also, from a previous paragraph the initial spring tension is that required to balance the centrifugal action at rated speed of weight (H-XV)- (w-{-w). It is now apparent that with any value of (\V+\V)+(w+w) required for scale of weight to balance the scale of any spring (whether stiff or limber) any given value of -XV") (zu|w') not greater than (\V-H may be obtained by adjustment. Therefore within this limit any spring can be used with any convenient initial tension and isochronous adjustment. Again, it is evident that a special case may arise with very low speed or a superior quality of spring where it becomes desirable to make the initial tension equal to its limiting value \V-HV. In this limiting case the auxiliary weights become 0 and may be dispensed with.

Considering further the action of the weights, it will be noticed that with a decrease of speed there will be the usual decrease of resultant centrifugal force of weights, giving the springs an opportunity to draw the principal weights toward the center, thus tending to restore normal speed in the usual manner; also, at the instant of said decrease in speed the inertia of all weights exerts a momentary force in a tangential direction in such a manner as to aid the spring in its action; also, with an increase of speed the inertia of all weights acts in the opposite tangential direction, thus aiding the centrifugal force of the weights to overcome the spring. \Vith moderate initial spring tension this inertial action becomes the most potent governing force, especially in resisting sudden changes of speed.

The weight (shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6) consists of a cylindrical shell H, having a longitudinal opening at O and a clampingbolt B, adapted to forcibly close said opening. XVeight-disks D of heavy material are placed in said shell to the amount of weight required and securely held therein by tightening the clamping-bolt B. This construction prevents loss of inertial effect due to movement of parts of the weight among themselves, as by the shifting of shot, and atl'ords an easy means of adjustment.

The eccentric E is secured to the shaft S, upon which it swings across the carrier or main shaft S with the outward movement of the principal weights. Stop T, forming a part of eccentric E, is in contact with the carriershaft S when the principal weights are in their inner position. Shaft S is secured to lever L" by a clamp, as shown.

To set the eccentric, the weights are put in position and springs attached to hold the principal weights \V and \V in the innerposition. The eccentric is then placed with stop T in contact with shaft C and the clamp of lever L tightened, thus securing the eccentric in correct position.

In the several views showing the hub of the carrier a second set of bearings for eccentricshaft S is shown at B. These bearings are located upon the same perpendicular to the center line of crank and at the same distance from the center of rotation of the carrier as the set shown in use.

To reverse, the eccentric-shaft S, carrying eccentric E, is transferred to bearings at B, and the eccentric is swung until the stop T comes in contact with the shaft S, when it is correctly located to run the engine in the opposite direction.

It will be noted that in the construction herein described while the arms and weights on each lever are located on opposite sides of a straight line intersecting the center of rotation and the pivotal center of the lever the weight of each lever as a whole is so disposed that the center of gravity is located at a point to one side of said line and within the path pr circle described by the pivotal center of the ever.

Having thus described my invention and its use, the features which Iclaim as new, and for which I desire Letters Patent, are the following:

1. In a governor, the combination with the rotary carrier, and the governor-levers pivotally mounted at diametrically opposite points on said carrier, said governor-levers being each extended on opposite sides of its pivot and weighted at both ends, of the controllingeccentric pivotally mounted on the carrier independent of the governor-levers and with a connection between said eccentric and the governor-levers; substantially as described.

2. In a governor, the combination with the rotary carrier and the governor-levers pivotally mounted on said carrier at diametrically opposite. points each of said governor-levers extending on opposite sides of its pivot and having its opposite ends weighted, the arrangement being such that as said levers swing on their pivots the weights or centers of gravity of said levers are caused to move in diametrically opposite directions, thereby maintaining the balance of the governor-le vers about the axis of the carrier, of an eccentric pivotally mounted on said carrier independently of the levers and a connection between said eccentric at a point diametrically opposite its center of oscillation and the governor-levers; substantially as described.

3. In a shaft-governor the combination of a rotary carrier, a pair of principal swinging centrifugal weights pivoted thereon at diametrically opposite points, a pair of secondary centrifugal weights, rigidly attached one to each of said principal weights and adapted to centrifugally oppose them, springs adapted to resist the resultant centrifugal action of said weights, and flexible connections to transmit the swing of said weights to the valve or controlleroperating mechanism.

4. In a shaft-governor the combination of a rotary carrier, an eccentric-pivot thereon, a pair of principal swingingcentrifugal weights also pivoted thereon at diametrically opposite points,a pair of secondary centrifugal weights rigidly attachedoneto each of said principal weights on the opposite side of each pivot and adapted to centrifugally oppose them,springs adapted to resist the resultant centrifugal ac tion of said weights, and flexible connections to transmit the swing of said weights to said eccentric.

5. In a governor, the combination with the rotary carrier and eccentric, of the governorlevers pivotally mounted on said carrier at diametrically opposite points, each of said levers extending on opposite sides of its pivot and having its opposite ends weighted, the mass of each of the governor-levers being so disposed that the center of gravity lieswithin the path described by the pivotal center of the lever and to one side of. a line intersectin g said center and the axis of rotation of the carrier and a connection between each of said governor-levers and the eccentric; substantially as described.

6. In a governor, the combination with the rotary carrier and eccentric pivotally mounted thereon and oscillating transversely of the axis of the carrier, of independent governorlevers pivotally mounted on said carrier at diametrically opposite points, each of said governor-levers extending on opposite sides of its pivot and'having its ends weighted, the disposition of the mass of each of said levers being such that the center of gravity is located to one side of a line intersecting the pivot of the lever and the axis of the carrier, and within the path described by the pivot of the lever in its traverse about the said axis, and a link connecting each of said levers and the eccentric; substantially as described.

7. In a governor, the combination with the rotary carrier and eccentric pivotally mounted on said carrier to move transversely of the axis of said carrier, of the governor-levers pivotally mounted on the carrier at diametrically. opposite points, each of said levers extending on opposite sides of its pivot and the mass of each of said levers being so disposed that 'the center of gravity lies within the path of the pivot in its traverse around the axis of the carrier and to one side of a line intersecting the said pivot and axis and a centripetally-actin g spring connecting each of said levers and the carrier; substantially as described.

and their pivots, and f an eccentric to which both arms are connected at a common point.

9. In a governor the combination with a rotary carrier, of swinging arms mounted upon diametrically opposite pivots at points intermediate their length at unequal distances from their extremities, a greater weight upon longer end of each arm, a lesser weight upon the shorter end of each, said weights be ing arranged so that the greater weight on each arm is opposite to the lesser weight on each arm, whereby said weights are substantially counterbalanced, force-counteracting springs connected to said arms between their greater weights and their pivots, an eccentric and means to connect both arms to it at a common point.

ED WIN G. KNAPP.

Witnesses: A

ARTHUR WITHAU, JOHN W. CHURCH. 

